CHAPTER 2.
ONE MARK QUESTIONS
1. Give two examples of rare species ?
Ans :
(i) Wild Asiatic buffalo (ii) Hornbill
2. Which species is on the verge of extinction ?
Ans :
Cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest
spotted owlet and plants like mahua and hubbardia
heptaneuron are on the verge of extinction.
3. Categorise the following as endangered or vulnerable
species- Asiatic elephant, Indian Rhino.
Ans :
(i) Asiatic elephant - Vulnerable species.
(ii) Indian Rhino - Endangered species.
4. Categorize the following as extinct or normal species-
Pine, Asiatic Cheetah.
Ans :
(i) Pine - Normal species.
(ii) Asiatic Cheetah - Extinct species.
5. Categorize the following as endemic or endangered
species- Lion tailed macaque, Nicobar Pigeon.
Ans :
(i) Lion tailed macaque - Endangered species.
(ii) Nicobar pigeon - Endemic species.
6. What is the scientific name of Asiatic Cheetah ?
Ans :
Acinonyx jubantus is the scientific name of Asiatic
Cheetah.
7. Mention any two factors responsible for depleting our
forests and wildlife.
Ans :
Factors responsible for depleting our forests and
wildlife are : (i) Expansion of agriculture (ii) Mining
8. What is ‘Jhum’ ?
Ans :
‘Jhum’ is a type of cultivation practiced in the north-
eastern and central India. It is also known as shifting
cultivation, a type of ‘slash and bum’ cultivation.
9. How do tribal people of India deplete the forests ?
Ans :
Substantial darts of the tribal belts, especially in the
north-eastern and central India, have been deforested
by shifting cultivation, a type of ‘slash and burn’
cultivation.
Forest and Wild Life
10. Name the jiger Reserve which is seriously threatened
by dolomite mining activity.
Ans :
The Bauxa tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
11. What are the greatest degrading factors in the view of
foresters and environmentalists ?
Ans :
The greatest degrading factors behind the depletion of
forests in the view of foresters and environmentalists
are grazing and wood - fuel collection.
12. Which factors have led to a decline in India’s
biodiversity ?
Ans :
Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over
exploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning and
forest fires are the factors that have led to a decline in
India’s biodiversity.
13. What are the causes of environmental destruction ?
Ans :
Unequal access, inequitable consumption of
resources and differential sharing of responsibility
for environmental well - being are the causes of
environmental destruction.
14. How is the biological loss, the loss of cultural diversity
?
Ans :
These losses have marginalized and impoverished many
indigenous and other forest dependent communities,
who directly depend on various components of the
forest and wildlife for food, drink, medicine, cultural,
spirituality, etc.
15. Mention any wildlife protection program ?
Ans :
The Indian Wildlife Act, 1972.
THREE MARKS QUESTIONS
16. What is the main reason for the depletion of flora and
fauna ?
or
State the factors responsible for the depletion of flora
and fauna.
Ans :
We, human beings have transformed nature into a
resource, obtaining directly and indirectly from the
forest and wildlife- wood, barks, leaves, rubber,
medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure etc. so
it is we ourselves who have depleted our forests and
wildlife. The greatest damage inflicted on Indian forests
was due to expansion of the railways, agriculture,
commercial, mining activities and scientific forestry.
Even after independence, agricultural expansion
continues to be one of the major causes of depletion of
forest resources. Between 1951 and 1980, according to
the Forest Survey of India, over 26,200 sq.km of forest
area was converted into agricultural land all over
India. Substantial parts of the tribal belts, especially
in the north-eastern and central India, have been
deforested by shifting cultivation.
17. “Conservation of rapid decline in wildlife population
and forestry has become essential.” Explain. ?
or
Why do we need to conserve our forests and wildlife
resources ? Explain any two steps taken by the
communities to protect our forest and wildlife
resources.
or
Why is conservation of forests and wildlife necessary
? In what way have conservation projects changed in
the recent years ?*
or
Assess the need for the conservation of forests and
wildlife in India.
Ans :
Conservation of forest and wildlife is important
because-
a. Loss of cultural diversity : The loss of forest and
wildlife is not just a biological issue but it is also
correlated with cultural diversity. There are many
forest-dependent communities, which directly
depend on various components of the forests and
wildlife for food, drinks, medicines, etc. Many
of the tribal communities like Muria Gonds,
Dhurwas, Bhatras, etc. have lost their habitat
because of the destruction of forests.
b. Complex web of living organisms : We humans
along with all living organisms form a complex
web ecological system in which we are only a part
and very much dependent on this system for our
own existence. For example, the plants, animals
and micro-organisms recreate the quality of the
air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil
that produce our food without which we cannot
survive.
c. Large scale destruction of forests : Between 1951
and 1980, according to the Forest Survey of India,
over 26,200 sq. km of forest area was converted
into agricultural lands all over India.
18. Describe the different type of plants and animal
species found in India.
or
Explain any five different categories of existing plants
and animal species based on the International Union
for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
with examples.
Ans :
a. Normal species : These include those whose
population levels are considered to be normal for
their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents,
etc.
b. Endangered species : These include those species
which are in danger of extinction. The several of
such species is difficult if the negative factors that
have led to a decline in their population continue
to operate. For example, black buck, crocodile,
Indian wild ass, etc.
c. Vulnerable species : These include the species
whose population has declined to levels from
where it is likely to move into the endangered
category in the near future if the negative factors
continue to operate. For example, blue sheep,
gangetic dolphin, etc.
d. Rare species : They may move into the endangered
or vulnerable category for example, Himalayan
brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo.
e. Endemic species : These are found in some
particular areas usually isolated by natural or
geographical barriers. For example, Andaman
teal, Nicobar prigo.
19. Differentiate between endangered and vulnerable
species with examples.
Ans :
We can classify the different species of plants and
animals on the basis of International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN).
a. Endangered species - These are the species which
are in danger of extinction. The survival of such
species is difficult if the negative factors that have
led to a decline in their population continue to
operate. Animals like black buck, crocodile, Indian
wild ass, Indian Rhino, lion tailed macaque, sangai
(brow anter deer in Manipur) fall in this category.
b. Vulnerable Species - These are species whose
population has declined to levels from where it
is likely to move into the endangered category in
the near future if the negative factors continue to
operate. The examples of such species are blue
sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
20. How are coloal forest policies responsible for the
depletion of forests ?
Ans :
Some of the environmental activists say that the
promotion of a few favored species in many parts of
India has been carried through the ironically termed
“enrichment plantation”, in which a single commercially
valuable species was extensively planted and other
species eliminated. For instance teak monoculture has
damaged the natural forest in South India and Chir
Pine plantations in the Himalayas have replaced the
Himalayan oak and Rhododendron forests. Large scale
 development projects have also contributed to a great
extent to the loss of forests. Many environmentalists
and foresters hold the view that the greatest degrading
factors behind the depletion of forests are grazing and
fuel wood collection. Besides, the expansion of the
railways, agriculture, commercial, mining activities
and scientific forestry during colonial period are
responsible for the depletion of forest.
21. How is overpopulation responsible for environmental
degradation ?
Ans :
The causes of environmental destruction are unequal
access, inequitable consumption of resources and
differential sharing of responsibility for environmental
well-being. Over population in third world countries is
often cited as the cause of environmental degradation.
However, an average American consumes 40 times
more resources than an average Somalian. Similarly,
the richest five percent of the Indian society probably
causes more ecological damage because of the amount
they consume than the poorest 25 percent. The former
shares minimum responsibilities for environmental
well¬being. If we talk about India, over half of India’s
natural forests are gone, one third of its wetlands
drained out, 70 percent of its surface Water bodies
polluted, 40 percent of its mangroves wiped out and
with continued hunting and trade of wild animals and
commercially valuable plants, thousands of plant and
animal species are heading towards extinction and who
is to blame ? This is only the result of overpopulation
and increasing demands.
22. Poverty is the outcome of environmental destruction.
Discuss.
Ans :
The destruction of forest and wildlife is not just a
biological issue. The biological loss is strongly correlated
with the loss of cultural diversity. Such losses have
increasingly marginalized and impoverished many
indigenous and other forest dependent communities,
who directly depend on various components of the
forest and wildlife for food, drinks, medicine, culture,
spirituality, etc. Within the poor, women are affected
more than men. In many societies women bear the
major responsibility of doing household work. This
results in serious health problems for women and
negligence of home and children because of the
increased hours of work and also has serious social
implications. The indirect impact of degradation such
as drought or deforestation induced floods, etc. also
hits the poor the hardest. Poverty in these cases is a
direct outcome of environmental destruction.
23. What steps have been taken by the government for the
conservation of forest and wildlife in India? Explain.
or
Write any three effective practices towards conserving
forests and wildlife.
or
Explain any three measures taken by the Indian
Government to protect wildlife.
Ans :
a. National parks, biosphere and wildlife sanctuaries
: To protect the biodiversity, the Indian
government has established 100 national parks,
515 sanctuaries and 17 biosphere reserves.
b. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act: The Indian
Wildlife Protection Act was implemented in 1972,
with various provisions for protecting habitats.
An all India list of protected species was also
published. The thrust of the program was towards
protecting the remaining population of certaip
endangered species by banning hunting, giving
legal protection to their habitats and restricting
trade in wildlife.
c. Project for protecting specific animals : The central
government has also announced several projects
for protecting specific animals which were greatly
threatened, including the tiger, the one-horned
rhinoceros, the Kashmir stag or hangul, the three
types ofcrocodiles-the freshwater crocodile, the
saltwater crocodile and the Gharial, the Asiatic
lion and others.
d. Forest Policy : India is one of the few countries
which has a forest policy since 1894. It was revised
in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of
the forest policy is protection, conservation and
development of forests.
e. Forest Research Institutes : Indian government
has created many forest Research Institutes for
the research, protection and development of
the forests. IFS Dehradun is the oldest research
institution of the country.
24. Write a note on good practices towards conserving
forest and wildlife.
Ans :
Humans have realized the importance of forest and
wildlife for their existence. Therefore, various steps
are being taken to conserve the forest and wildlife :
a. The government has adopted policies to protect
wildlife, land, fresh water and air.
b. Implementation of, the Indian Wildlife (Protection)
Act which has enlisted wildlife species that need
special attention,
c. Setting up of National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries to protect endangered species. Under
the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several insects
have also been included in the list of protected
species.
d. Organising community awareness programmes
such as vanmahotsav, etc.
25. Describe how communities have conserved and
protected forests and wildlife in India ?
Ans :
India has a diverse culture and religious beliefs.
Many traditional communities still live in the forests
and depend upon them for their livelihood. These
communities are working hand in hand with the
government to conserve forests. For example in Sariska
Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against
mining activities. In Alwar district of Rajasthan, local
communities belonging to five villages have set their
own rules and regulations in 1,200 hectares of forest
land. They have named it as the Bhairodev Dakav
‘Sonchuri’. Hunting is not allowed in these lands.
26. Name some conservation movements which have
 contributed towards the conservation of flora and regulations are governed by the government. Inside a
fauna. wildlife sanctuary, the hunting of animals is completely
Ans : prohibited. The trees cannot be cut down for any
Famous Conservation Movements are : purpose; especially the clearing of forest for agriculture
a. Chipko Movement : The famous Chipko is completely banned. But the general public could see
Movement was started in the Himalayas to resist or use it up to a certain extent so that the wildlife
deforestation in several areas. To save indigenous is not disturbed. National Park : National park was
species, it has opted for community afforestation. first introduced in 1969. It has a defined boundary
It has made attempt to revive the traditional through which no person can go into the park without
conservation methods or develop new methods of an approval. Only an approved person can enter into
ecological farming. a national park. In wildlife sanctuary, where limited
b. Beej Bachao Andolan : Farmer’s and citizen’s activities are allowed like collecting fuel wood, fruits,
group in Tehri have shown that adequate levels medicinal plants in small scale, no human activities
of diversified crop production without the use are allowed in national parks. The national parks are
of synthetic chemicals is possible and are also more restricted for the people.
economically viable.
c. Joint Forest Management (JFM): It furnishes a
good example for involving local Communities
in the management and restoration of degraded
forests. The programme has been in formal
existence since 1988 when the state of Odisha
passed the first resolution for joint forest
management. It depends on the formation of local
institutions that undertake protection activities
mostly omdegraded forest land managed by the
forest department. In return, the community
members Ire entitled to benefits like non-timber
forest produce and share in the timber harvested
by successful protection.
27. The role of few communities in India to conserve and
protect wildlife cannot be over emphasized. Comment
on this.
Ans :
Few communities in India can have a major role in
counserving and protecting the wildlife in the following
ways:
a. As forests are home to some of the traditional
communities, in some areas of India, local
communities along with government officials are
struggling their best to conserve the forests and
habitats of wild life recognizing that only this will
secure their own long term livelihood.
b. In Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, villagers
have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife
Protection Act.
c. In many areas, villagers themselves are
protecting habitats and rejecting any government
involvement.
d. The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar
district of Rajasthan have declared 1,200 hectares
of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’,
declaring their own set of rules and regulations
which do not allow hunting and are protecting the
wildlife against any outside encroachments.
28. Explain Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks of
India.
Ans :
Wildlife Sanctuary : A wildlife sanctuary is a declared
protected area where very limited human activity
is allowed. The ownership of this type of protected
area lies either in the hands of government or in
any private organization or person provided the